I have GAD and its getting worst not better. What do I need

Customer Question

I have GAD and it's getting worst not better. What do I need to do?I have upper back muscle problems. Cold hands and feet. Just had a completeblood panel done and everything was normal. Please help. I'm losing it.

If you have upper back muscle pain, then the best thing is to get on a muscle relaxer pill . This will help treat the myofascial pain and will help you relax as well. I'm not a huge fan of xanax, but if you truly need it then take it, but also add something like buspar twice a day for your GAD. It will help at least keep you at the same dose of xanax for longer and will help keep you more calm.

As an anxiety disorder, GAD has been described as the "catch all" term to describe an individual with nonspecific or global anxiety that can, at times, reduce functioning in certain areas. Folks with GAD are prone to develop more specific anxieties around specific events than the normal population, and may develop more "specialized" anxiety disorders over time. As one of the Anxiety Disorders, GAD is felt to be related to applying the wrong response to a given situation. That is, fear is an adaptive function that all animals (human and otherwise) are born with... it is an innate reaction - but can be learned in response to certain situations/events. When fear (the response) comes at the right situation (a hungry saber-toothed tiger standing in front of you), you're doing GREAT! Fear makes you move (fight or run for your life)! When fear (the response) comes at the wrong situation (at the grocery store or on an elevator or driving down the highway, for example), you're not doing so great - and you need to relearn when/how to apply fear as originally intended.

Research has consistently demonstrated that treatment plus medication is more effective than medication alone or treatment alone for anxiety. Further research has shown that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most effective form of psychological treatment/intervention - particularly in dealing with anxiety disorders (like GAD).

A licensed psychologist/psychotherapist with specific training in CBT modalities would be able to address your concerns. I would encourage you to find a licensed mental health professional with whom to work, employing CBT. Be sure when you speak to a possible licensed mental health professional that s/he employs CBT techniques - not just "influences from CBT" or "an eclectic approach."

With regard to medical treatment, many/most physicians appear to begin with a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) to treat anxiety. Because I am not an MD, it is beyond my purview to address medication concerns, however.

Again, the mantra of years of research says: medication or treatment alone is not as effective as both working in tandem. Some research has also indicated that insight-oriented talk therapy is counter-productive with some forms of anxiety disturbance... it actually exacerbates the condition(s) So, seek out a CBT therapist who will provide targeted, efficient, and effective therapy - not someone who signs you as a "lifer." If you're going to a therapist for years, something about the therapy isn't working.

Your psychiatrist *may* know of a CBT licensed mental health professional. Please make certain, however, that they employ CBT practices.

Thanks. I hope you're well and that this was helpful.

* FEEDBACK ENCOURAGED. Please contact me prior to leaving negative feedback so that we can resolve the matter. I am eager to work with all JA clients to provide them with useful/helpful answers. Thanks again.

I will tell you that...the things you have to go through to be an Expert are quite rigorous.

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